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They Killed a Man, Not a Number
[Editor's Note: South Carolina killed Andy Smith on December 18, 1998. He was the 500th person executed in the U.S. since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Like a thousand other editors, I wanted to cover it. I asked South Carolina death row prisoner David Hill, who knew Andy …
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More from this issue:
- Federal Judge Rules Texas Prisons Still Unconstitutional, PLRA Unconstitutional
- Washington Parole Officer Blown Up
- Prison Madness, by Terry Kupers, MD (Book Review), by Dan Pens
- From the Editor, by Paul Wright
- Indictment: The News Media and the Criminal Justice System (Book Review), by Alex Friedmann
- Notes from the Unrepenitentiary, by Laura Whitehorn
- Private Prison Escape Explained
- Corcoran Prisoner Left Hanging
- Pro Se Tips and Tactics (Discovery), by John Midgley
- Washington Prisoners Damage Colorado Private Prison
- Washington Prisoners Brutalized in Colorado Private Prison, by Waldo Waldron-Ramsey
- CCA - Prison Realty Merger Approved, by Alex Friedmann
- They Killed a Man, Not a Number, by David Hill
- Violence Takes a Toll at New Mexico Wackenhut Prison, by Ronald Young
- CMS Settles Wrongful Death Suit for $75,000
- Court Screening Applies to Paid Suits Too
- Failing to Provide Disabled Prisoner Showers for Two Months Cruel and Unusual
- Judge Throws Out Corcoran Sanctions, by Willie Wisely
- Juveniles Held Hostage for Profit by CSC in Florida, by Alex Friedmann
- Florida Porn Ban Challenged
- Mitigation Instruction and Excluding Indemnification Evidence Reversible Error
- Parole Officials Liable for False Information in Parole Violation Arrest Warrant
- Pardon Satisfies Heck
- Federal Prisoners Must Exhaust Administrative Remedies Before Suing
- Fifth Circuit Upholds PLRA Exhaustion Requirement, by Ronald Young
- Imminent Danger Overrides Three Strikes
- Exhaustion Not Required for Bivens Claim
- Pennsylvania Brutality Suit Settled for $5,000
- The Lucasville Trials, by Staughton Lynd
- Warden's Smoking Ban Violates BOP Rules
- Weapon Possession in Federal Prison Always Considered a "Violent Offense"
- Interstate Compact Violations Not Cognizable Under § 1983
- News in Brief
- Felon Possession of Firearm Nonviolent Offense
- Prisoner May Not File Unsigned Complaint for Another Prisoner
- Error to Dismiss Rule 41(C) Motion Without Allowing Conversion to Bivens Action
More from David Hill:
- They Killed a Man, Not a Number, June 15, 1999
More from these topics:
- Idaho Moves Closer to Firing Squad Executions, May 1, 2026. Death Penalty, State Legislation, Method of Execution, Lethal Injection Method of Execution.
- Trump Approves Firing Squads for Federal Executions, May 1, 2026. Death Penalty, Domestic Violence, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Method of Execution, Hate Crimes.
- Texas Prisoner Declared Innocent 70 Years After Execution, March 1, 2026. Racial Discrimination, Death Penalty, False Confessions, Eyewitness Identification, Prosecutorial Misconduct.
- Dissenter Excoriates SCOTUS for Denying Certiorari in Challenge to Constitutionality of Nitrogen Hypoxia Execution, Feb. 1, 2026. Death Penalty, 42 U.S. Code § 1983, civil action for deprivation of rights, Capital Punishment, Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Method of Execution.
- 2025 Was a Deadly Year for Veterans Behind Bars, Jan. 1, 2026. Brain Injury, Death Penalty, Mental Health, Veterans, Mental Health Experts.
- Oklahoma Prisoner Found Unconscious in Cell Hours After Avoiding Execution, Dec. 1, 2025. Public Defenders, Pardons/Clemency, Life without Parole (LWOP), Death Penalty, Effective Assistance of Counsel.
- Missouri Blocks Spiritual Advisors from Prison Pastor’s Execution, Nov. 1, 2025. Pardons/Clemency, Death Penalty, Lethal Injection Method of Execution, Religious Freedom/Worship, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
- Eleventh Circuit Overturns 1990 Alabama Death Sentence Over Racially Biased Jury Selection; ACLU Report Shows It Is Still Happening, Nov. 1, 2025. Racial Discrimination, Habeas Corpus, Death Penalty, Batson Claims, Racial Bias Exception.
- In the Killing Chamber, Oct. 1, 2025. Death Penalty, Death Row.
- Date of Firing Squad Execution Vacated for Utah Prisoner with Dementia, Oct. 1, 2025. Death Penalty/Death Row, Mental Health, Federal Death Penalty Act, Cruel and Unusual Punishment.

